Chicago Bulls: Luol Deng Has Been Bulls' Real MVP with Derrick Rose Sidelined

In the ever-waged argument over "Most Valuable Player" and the meaning of "value," there is the constant question of what value means. There is the camp that accepts that "value" is equal to "best." Then there are those who believe that "value" is less tangible than stats—it has to do with importance to a team. 

It can be argued that last year's NBA's MVP, Derrick Rose, is not even this year's team MVP. There are a few reasons for saying that.

First, the Bulls have performed better without Rose than without Deng. While Derrick Rose was sidelined the Bulls went 7-3, but while Luol Deng was sidelined, the Bulls were 4-3. That's a .700 winning percentage compared to a .571 winning percentage. 

Of course, this argument, standing on its own would be a little delicate. Other factors, such as other injuries and schedule, weren't equal in those comparisons. Still, it is indicative of the importance of Luol Deng. 

Perhaps more telling is the Bulls net 11.8 points per 100 possessions while Rose is on the court while they net 13.0 points per 100 possessions while Deng is on the court. Certainly this is not a swipe on either player, but it does show  the overall impact of the "glueness" of "Glue-all" Deng. 

The most telling thing, though, is the drop-off from both players to their backups. Luol Deng had his minutes filled up by Ronnie Brewer, who is not a real small-forward. He can fill the defensive minutes decently, but it's tough for him to produce the same offensive production. 

Jimmy Butler filled in some minutes, and while he was able to provide the defense he needed, he doesn't have the same kind of offense. Additionally, he's not as good of a player overall. He doesn't have the maturity to do the little things that Deng does. 

Kyle Korver played some minutes, and while he's able to provide the offense that Deng produces, he's not able to provide the defense. He's not as much a liability defensively this year as he was last year, but he isn't able to provide the help on defense Deng does. 

In other words, none of the players are able to do all the things that Deng does. 

There is also the fact that the primary backup for Rose is C.J. Watson, who is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. He is able to provide the same basic elements that Rose does: passing, penetration off the dribble and perimeter defense. He's only about 75 percent of what Rose is in all those areas, but those elements are filled. 

So, while Rose is the better player than Deng, without question, the drop-off to each player's backup makes Deng more "valuable" this year than Rose.